Manager, Bus Sponsor

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.
This role is an in‑office position based at our 130 Adelaide Street location. Our team is highly collaborative, and much of our work benefits from in‑person co‑creation, relationship‑building, and hands‑on partnership with leaders across the organization.

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

The Bus Sponsor & Network Planning Office is hiring a Manager, Bus Sponsor to provide leadership in the delivery of GO Bus and Bus Rapid Transit projects. The Manager, Bus Sponsor will lead strategic project planning, support project/program workstream interfaces, lead stakeholder engagement, and collaborate closely with subject matter experts in developing recommendations to senior leadership that align with corporate priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to work on high-profile projects that will shape the future of transportation in Ontario.

What will I be doing?

• Provides leadership and guidance to advance projects related to GO Bus and Bus Rapid Transit, working alongside various teams and business owners to define project requirements (infrastructure, operational, maintenance, fleet, customer experience, . Leads and implements strategic plans, project/program interface between delivery workstreams, and stakeholder engagement.

• Leads the capital project approvals process and prepares detailed reports defining a project’s scope, ensuring the budget and funding is secured, and assuring a project is at a state of readiness and can advance to the next stage.

• Oversees the development of business cases (in accordance with Metrolinx’s Business Case Guidance), environmental assessments and design to inform decision-making on GO Bus infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the construction of new bus facilities, upgrading bus facilities, and GO bus on-street stops.

• Works in close collaboration with the Director, Bus Sponsor in identifying opportunities and roadblocks; applies political acuity and relationship management to ensure risks are detected, assessed, and resolved; and, proactively identifies decisions and addresses issues to give the project clear direction on how to proceed.

• Conducts the evaluation of project alternatives, including leveraging financial and procurement strategies to deliver on the projects, participates in studies and makes recommendations for decision-making on project changes that impact project benefits, including its scope, schedule, and budget.

• Leads projects/program workstreams through management of cross-functional working teams of technical, commercial, planning, bus operations, asset management, and other supporting staff.

• Builds and maintains relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders (. municipal officials, municipal transit service providers, NGOs, landowners) to foster and coordinate new initiatives, develop partnerships, strengthen transportation planning, and project delivery.

• Monitors project progress to ensure that project planning objectives are delivered on time and within budget. Meets corporate objectives and manages project activities within budgetary limits.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Planning, Engineering, Urban Studies, Architecture, Geography, or a related discipline – or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed equivalent.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience with developing and delivering capital/operations/planning/policy development in the transportation/railway industry (particularly bus) or other infrastructure sectors.
• At least one of the following would be an asset: Project Management Professional (PMP) licensed by Project Management Institute (PMI), Professional Engineering ( license recognized by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation recognized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), or comparable professional designation.
• Leadership skills and experience working on capital planning projects and initiatives in the transportation or other public sector industry and knowledge of theories, principles and practices of program and project planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of the public sector procurement process and knowledge of/experience working with and leveraging alternative procurement models and providing review and feedback to key partners and stakeholders to ensure initiatives and project interests are met.
• Theories, principles and practices of transit planning, land-use planning and the role of infrastructure in supporting the development of an urban region
• Experience planning departmental and project budgets, and monitoring budget adherence
• Project management principles and practices, including budget and schedule controls, to manage cross functional teams and consultants engaged in simultaneous projects (. development, project progress, related staff and project resources) and monitor project activities for adherence to timelines, budgets, and project performance objectives
• Procurement, vendor and contract management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to negotiate with and manage vendor relationships
• Research and analytical skills to manage evidence-based technical planning, design, and engineering studies
• Leadership skills and facilitation, including interpersonal, negotiation, and consensus building, coupled with the ability to provide guidance to a diverse group of specialists, technical staff and project consultants to accomplish the goals within established scope, schedule and budget
• Oral/written/presentation communication skills to act as an advisor and to develop and sustain working relationships with senior management and decision-makers, external stakeholders, and the public
• Knowledge of government policy and program development processes to participate fully in developing or vetting major policy initiatives submitted for senior level approval
• Interpersonal and oral/written/presentation skills to communicate proposed policies and solutions through a variety of formats to several different audiences

Don’t Meet Every Requirement? If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.Accommodation:We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Metrolinx and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act so if you require accommodation during the hiring process, please let our Recruitment team know by contacting us at: 416-202-5601 or email before submitting your application.Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.